The Mission Of The Savior Series

2) The Salvation Protrayed (Isa. 61:4-7),

These verses are the “good news” that the Servant/Messiah proclaims. They are an expression of the promise of God to fulfill his ancient promises and to demonstrate his nature to the world through Israel.

Isaiah 61:4 [4]They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations.

This verse closely agrees with v. 3 in its continuation of the theme of restoration. The emphasis shifts from the person and work of the Servant/Messiah in vv. 1–3(4) to the promises to Israel in vv. (4)5–11.

As in 54:3 and 58:12, the promise is made that no matter how devastated the ruins, nor how desolate the land, God will enable it all to be rebuilt. At various points Isaiah had said that the great cities of Israel’s enemies and oppressors would be destroyed never to be rebuilt (13:19–22; 34:8–17). No matter how vigorous the efforts, all rebuilding attempts will fail. But the opposite is true for Jerusalem and Judah. No matter how long the ruins may have existed, they will be rebuilt, and no matter how terrible the desolation, new life for Israel will spring up again (cf. 35:1–2). Interestingly, history has already borne out these prophecies. Assyria and Babylon are piles of dust, while Jerusalem, in spite of seemingly endless wars and destructions, is a thriving city. God and his purposes are the final determining factors in the continuation or dissolution of all human endeavors. What is in keeping with those purposes will endure, come what may. But what is at variance with them cannot long survive, no matter how valiant the effort.

Matthew 16:18 [18]And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. (ESV)

• The attacks on Christianity, no matter how well funded, officially sanctioned by government or courts, or promoted in media, will collapse, for Christ Himself has promised to build and sustain His church regardless of the opposition.

The prophet continues:

Isaiah 61:5-6 l stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; [6]but you shall be called the priests of the LORD; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our God; you shall eat the wealth of the nations, and in their glory you shall boast. (ESV)

What will be Israel’s relation to its former oppressors in its final restoration? Two extremes are ruled out. On the one hand, the nations will no longer oppress Israel, and Israel will no longer bow down to them and their gods. Now the nations will serve Israel. The figure of speech that the prophet uses is of farmworkers (v. 5). Without question the roles identified—shepherds, plowmen, and vinedressers—are of the lower social classes. There is no sense in which such persons will be in a position to lord it over anyone. The day is coming when Israel will need fear the nations no more. Furthermore, the abundance of the nations (v. 6; cf. 60:11) will be Israel’s to enjoy and to take pride in.